2020-12-02 Wed

The Banas were the dynasty of South India that claimed to be descents of king Mahabali. They were the independent kingdom in South India that ruled from the 14th to the middle of the 16th century. The Banas of Madurai had faced much opposition from several neighbouring kingdoms after coming to the power.

They had also served some of the major dynasties like Cholas and Pandyas as feudatories. They had also served as Samantas to some dynasties such as Chalukyas. The earliest mention of the Banas in authentic historical records is in the middle of the fourth century AD and as the feudatories of the Satavahana and early Pallavas.

This copper kasu was issued from Banas of Madurai. The obverse of this coin is inscribed depicts ‘Garuda flanked by conch and discus running right holding a serpent in the right hand’. The reverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘Tamil legend Samara Kolakalan’.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction